Brown announces federal funding for four Tri-State fire departments | Politics

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX19) - New federal resources have been awarded to four fire departments in Butler, Hamilton, and Highland Counties. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced Wednesday that the Brushcreek Township Volunteer Fire Department, Cincinnati Fire Department, Fairfield Fire Department, and Sycamore Fire Departments have been awarded resources by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day across Ohio,” said Brown. “These funds ensure that firefighters in southwest Ohio have the resources they need to safely perform their jobs.”

One of the areas receiving funds, Sycamore Township, has just announced it could outsource its fire department and will take bids for an outside operator to run it.  They told FOX19 that since under their proposal the township would continue to own fire trucks and fire houses, the federal grant would still be valid.

This is round eight of the competitive Fiscal Year 2011 AFG announcements. Here are additional details on the grants:

Department  County      Funding     Use

Brushcreek Township Volunteer Fire Department   Highland    $237,500   Vehicle Acquisition
Cincinnati Fire Department    Hamilton    $153,600    Operations and Safety
Fairfield Fire Department     Butler      $162,000    Operations and Safety
Sycamore Township Fire Department   Hamilton    $259,203    Operations and Safety

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program helps firefighters and other first responder purchase protective equipment, vehicles, and gear, according to FEMA.

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